The inaugural Daniel Naroditsky Memorial Rapid and Blitz took place early in July in Charlotte, North Carolina. Organised by the Charlotte Chess Center Foundation, where Naroditsky had served as resident grandmaster, the event honoured the popular streamer and commentator, known to fans as ‘Danya’, who died in October aged 29. Rapid and blitz were fitting formats, as Naroditsky was one of the world’s top blitz specialists, particularly in online play. A stellar field included Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura and Wesley So, as well as the Candidates winner Javokhir Sindarov. Sindarov took first place in both disciplines, and paid tribute to Naroditsky, describing him as the ‘kindest person in chess’.
The event coincided with the publication of a report by the Fide Ethics and Disciplinary Commission which found the former world champion Vladimir Kramnik guilty of cyber-bullying and other conduct violations. His conduct towards Naroditsky was cited multiple times in the report. He has been given a ban of at least a year from participating in Fide events, and 12 months of unpaid service to the chess community. Kramnik has stated that he intends to appeal.
Dariusz Swiercz-Javokhir Sindarov
Naroditsky Memorial Rapid, July 2026
Sindarov seized the initiative with 18…f5! 19 exf5 After 19 fxg5 he probably intended a pawn sacrifice: 19…f4 20 Bxf4 Nxf4 21 Rxf4 Qxg5 with good prospects. gxf4 20 Bxf4 Rxf5 21 Nd3 21 Bxh6? loses the bishop to Rxf1+ 22 Kxf1 Qf8+. Qf6 22 Ne2 Rf8 23 Rce1 Bd7 24 Qc1 Bc6 25 Bg3 h5! 26 h3 h4 27 Bh2 Qf7 28 Ndf4 28 Rxf5 Qxf5 29 Ndf4 struggles on, because 29…Bh6 can be met by 30 Rf1. Nevertheless White stands much worse. Bh6 Winning material, as White cannot defend the knight. 29 Nxg6 Qxg6 Threatening mate and the queen, so White resigns
Another player who could be thrilled with his result was 17-year-old Ethan Sheehan, the only non-grandmaster to make it to the final of the blitz event, and the lowest seed by far. But he finished in third place, including this dramatic victory against the tournament favourite.
Ethan Sheehan-Hikaru Nakamura
Naroditsky Memorial Blitz, July 2026
23… Rg6? The threat of mate with Qxf3+ seems to solve the problem of the skewered rooks, but stumbles into a bigger issue. 23…b6! was the strongest move, since 24 Bxd6 Qxf3+ 25 Qg2 Nf2+ 26 Kg1 Nh3+ leads to a draw by repetition. 24 Qe3! Meeting the threat to f3, and now 24…Rc8 25 Qe8+ leads to mate. This twist costs Black a whole rook. Qf5 25 Bxf8 h6 26 Bc5 Nf4 27 Qe8+ Kh7 28 Qe4 Qh3 29 Rg1 Ng2 Black lost on time, but with a rook less the position is hopeless.
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